‘Heterosexual friendly’ B&B removes words from website

KEVAN CHRISTIE

A Highlands bed and breakfast described on its website as “heterosexual friendly” has removed phrases after being threatened with legal action.

The Cromasaig B&B in Kinlochewe, owned by Tom Forrest also featured a pictorial version of the statement “man+woman = marriage” on the site and had received several complaints.

Mr Forrest, who sparked controversy in 2004 when he refused a gay couple a double room at the guest house said “the equality act is not equal to be frank”.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in Scotland had begun action to seek a court order. However, it said yesterday that this had been halted after Mr Forrest agreed to remove the phrases voluntarily.

The commission said it was concerned that the phrases were potentially discrimatory and had initially written to Mr Forrest asking for them to be removed after receiving complaints.

When no action was taken, the commission sought a court order which would require the offending phrases to be removed.

That legal action has been halted after the statements were deleted voluntarily.